R&B trio After 7 returns to the scene with a new album titled Unfinished Business via the SoNo recording group. New member Danny McClain joins founding members Kevon Edmonds and Keith Mitchell for the group’s fifth project. McClain replaces Melvin Edmonds (who passed away in May of 2019) and Melvin’s son Jason, who joined the group when his dad fell ill. In hindsight, you could say the CD is a tribute to Melvin, and the Unfinished Business is getting one more project out.
After 7 released “Bittersweet” as the first single this past spring which found the trio adapting their signature sound for 2021.”No Place Like You,” a lovely ballad, was the next single, which features Kevon’s lush vocals on the opening. After 7 opens up their latest project with “Extra Mile,” a song about putting forth that extra effort to get the attention of someone you may be interested in.
Stokley Williams of Mint Condition joins the group for “The Day,” a mid-tempo bop that I imagine will sound great in concert. “Made A Man Of Me” and “Sing A Love Song” are two more standouts. As a husband, both of the songs hit home for me with the message in the lyrics.
The bulk of the production of the CD comes from Damon Thomas and his team, with Stokley Williams contributing two numbers as well. I also loved that the group found time to include interludes from Melvin, where he can provide the wisdom of a seasoned veteran.
After 7 avoids using trap beats or autotune to appeal to a younger crowd. Instead, they focus on providing listeners with quality R&B. Unfinished Business is necessary for your music collection.
Final Grade: A-
Unfinished Business is available on all streaming platforms. In addition, physical copies of the release can be purchased on-line
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I took a trip back to 2007 and revisited “Don’t Talk Just Listen” from the group B5. Hailing from the Peach State, B5 comprised the Breeding Brothers, Bryan, Carnell, Dustin, Kelly, and Patrick. Initially finding success two years earlier with their cover of The Jackson 5’s “All I Do,” their debut did just enough with their preteen fans to warrant a second album.
With the exception of a few cases, R&B groups experienced a period of stagnation in 2007. While some groups continued to tour and perform their renowned classics, releasing new music was infrequent. To commemorate this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I would like to acknowledge a notable piece from Jagged Edge’s sixth album, “Baby Makin Project,” titled “Whole Town’s Laughing At Me.”
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, we are taking a trip to the Great Lake State and showing some love to R&B Band Ready for The World and their self-titled debut album. Arriving in stores on May 14, 1985, via MCA Records, the album on which the band produced their first single was “Tonight.”
Reviews And Dunn is a unique blog showcasing all things cinema, music & theater.
You must be logged in to post a comment.